This time in the Battle of the Beats we pit established versus upcoming, strained versus unforced: Alicia Keys versus Jazmine Sullivan. The interesting rhythmic punctuations on Keys' "I Need You" and infectious riddimic swells on Sullivan's "Need U Bad" are arguably the most dynamic elements of these songs, almost overshadowing each singer's distinctive and powerful voice. Keys wails in that patented, nearly uncomfortable rage of hers about no two things going together better than her and the object of her affection, while Sullivan effortlessly infuses her mellifluous voice into the claim that she needs her love as badly as she needs food. Both play to their strengths on these tracks in an attempt to convince you of how badly and deeply they need.
You tell us, in this battle for affection who wins you over?
well ak song is good but ima have to give to jazmine cause she saying how she let someone slip away that was good and she realize she really need's him bad!!!
I love both songs, but I definitely have to go with A. Keys. It was the hands-down best track off her last album, the instrumentation is crazy. In my opinion, Jazmine's track is very simple and falls flat when the two tracks are compared side-by-side. Still love me some Sullivan, though, and I'm copping the debut album as soon as it's released.
Even though sometimes I think the lyrics are kinda doofy (Especially Alicia's. Girl what are you talking about for the first three lines? How does the sand loving waves have anything to do with your dude doubting your love?), and I agree with k23 that Missy should step off with the hyping on Jazmine's track, on the whole both songs are strong. I'm still undecided...
interesting--this morning on the way to school, i shuffled my music and "i need you" started playing. ...i thought about both songs and how alike they are....
...and how different. i LOVE JS's, "need you bad". it's sultry and sexy. AK's, "i need you" is slick and fierce. my vote? AK. the yearn in her voice, the urgency of the drums, the piercing horns, it all gets me everytime. my favorite part is right before her adlibs at the end (before "like the desert needs the rain..."): "said IIIIIIIII need you..." i always wind up shouting back her.
If we're going for the anthemic master, it's Jazmine's version all the way. Hers captures much more of the sing-a-long power of the hook, along with the infectiousness of the rockers ragga riddim. :-)
I'm judging this based on musicianship (beats) and songwriting (lyrics).
And Alicia Keys wins. The drum intro kicks ass and gets you moving.
And Alicia yearning for some good love is most effective here.
I'm feeling Jazmine's track also, but the song uses a familiar Jamaican "riddim" with an R&B twist. It's nice. But it didn't hit me as hard as Alicia's joint.
I gotta give it to Alicia. lol Even though I love Jazzy with every fiber of my being (forgive my dramatics), I absolutely love "I Need You" by Alicia, and with this being my first year every stanning for the singer (been stanning for jazzy for 2 years), imma have to go with Ms. Keys for this one.
Comments
well ak song is good but ima have to give to jazmine cause she saying how she let someone slip away that was good and she realize she really need's him bad!!!
mrsz.Chapman | September 6, 2008 12:09 PM | Permalinkis it just me, but Jazmine sounded like a watered down Lauryn Hill (when Lauryn Hill wasn't crazy)??? couldn't get passed that. oh well.
ak | September 1, 2008 3:55 AM | PermalinkThis one is tough. I LOVE Alicia Keys and i LOVE this song by Jazmine. I call it a draw.
Liz | August 31, 2008 3:11 AM | PermalinkI like the instrumentation of Alicia's track, but Jazmine's is fire. The lyrics, the rhythm, her voice. Mm!
Bianca | August 28, 2008 8:35 PM | PermalinkI love both songs, but I definitely have to go with A. Keys. It was the hands-down best track off her last album, the instrumentation is crazy. In my opinion, Jazmine's track is very simple and falls flat when the two tracks are compared side-by-side. Still love me some Sullivan, though, and I'm copping the debut album as soon as it's released.
Nate | August 27, 2008 9:36 PM | PermalinkEven though sometimes I think the lyrics are kinda doofy (Especially Alicia's. Girl what are you talking about for the first three lines? How does the sand loving waves have anything to do with your dude doubting your love?), and I agree with k23 that Missy should step off with the hyping on Jazmine's track, on the whole both songs are strong. I'm still undecided...
Ro | August 27, 2008 9:27 PM | PermalinkI like alicia's song allot, but Jazmin S. Need You Bad is bangin
Lisa | August 27, 2008 5:29 PM | Permalinkinteresting--this morning on the way to school, i shuffled my music and "i need you" started playing. ...i thought about both songs and how alike they are....
...and how different. i LOVE JS's, "need you bad". it's sultry and sexy. AK's, "i need you" is slick and fierce. my vote? AK. the yearn in her voice, the urgency of the drums, the piercing horns, it all gets me everytime. my favorite part is right before her adlibs at the end (before "like the desert needs the rain..."): "said IIIIIIIII need you..." i always wind up shouting back her.
marques | August 27, 2008 2:27 PM | PermalinkIf we're going for the anthemic master, it's Jazmine's version all the way. Hers captures much more of the sing-a-long power of the hook, along with the infectiousness of the rockers ragga riddim. :-)
Stephanie Renee | August 27, 2008 1:44 PM | PermalinkI'm judging this based on musicianship (beats) and songwriting (lyrics).
And Alicia Keys wins. The drum intro kicks ass and gets you moving.
And Alicia yearning for some good love is most effective here.
I'm feeling Jazmine's track also, but the song uses a familiar Jamaican "riddim" with an R&B twist. It's nice. But it didn't hit me as hard as Alicia's joint.
Trent | August 27, 2008 1:01 PM | PermalinkJazmine, just barely, as she loses points for the unnecessary and annoying hype person nonsense thrown into the song.
How about for round 2, the winner of this throwdown vs Jill Scott's The Fact Is (I Need You)?
k23 | August 27, 2008 12:29 PM | PermalinkAlicia's joint is pure hotness...I felt her pain in her voice
and the horns at the end was CLASSIC!
HotLikeFiyah | August 27, 2008 1:19 AM | PermalinkAs much as I love Alicia...Jazmine wins this round.
Felisa | August 26, 2008 11:42 PM | PermalinkLove both, but Jazmine's has a bit more fire.
Soulstar | August 26, 2008 8:16 PM | PermalinkI gotta give it to Alicia. lol Even though I love Jazzy with every fiber of my being (forgive my dramatics), I absolutely love "I Need You" by Alicia, and with this being my first year every stanning for the singer (been stanning for jazzy for 2 years), imma have to go with Ms. Keys for this one.
suga | August 26, 2008 7:54 PM | Permalinkall about jazmine.
[dave] | August 26, 2008 7:01 PM | PermalinkI'll give it to Jazmine, although I must say that I love Alicia's "Need" too. :)
Madame Z | August 26, 2008 6:30 PM | PermalinkHave to give it to Jazmine!
justme | August 26, 2008 6:10 PM | PermalinkJazmine all the way
NIck | August 26, 2008 5:38 PM | Permalink